A humidification assembly

Abstract

This invention relates to a humidification assembly or kit for use in a respiratory support system for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient. The assembly or kit comprises a fluid reservoir, and a humidification chamber. The fluid reservoir and the humidification chamber are provided in fluid connection with each other, wherein a connection between each of the fluid reservoir and the humidification chamber provides a pre-determined force of retention and/or resistance to disconnection or is a permanent type connection.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A humidification assembly for use in a respiratory support system for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient, comprising:
 a humidification chamber configured for receiving a source of humidification fluid,   a fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid for supply to the humidification chamber,   a conduit provided as an interconnect between the humidification chamber and the fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid, and   wherein, a connection is provided with a pre-determined force of retention and/or resistance to disconnection between each of:   the conduit and the humidification chamber, and   the conduit and the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         67 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the connection is one or more of:
 wherein the connection is configured such that, the or a conduit providing for the fluid communication is resistant to, or unable to be disconnected,   wherein the connection is configured such that disconnection results in damage to the fluid communication,   wherein separation or disconnection of the connection serves to destructively sever the connection,   wherein separation or disconnection of the connection is destructive of one or more components or parts which formed the connection,   wherein separation or disconnection of the connection serves to prevent a subsequent re-establishment of a connection.   
     
     
         68 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein a first end of the conduit is connected or coupled to the fluid reservoir, or a component connected to or coupled to the fluid reservoir, wherein a second end of the conduit is connected or coupled to the humidification chamber or a component connected to or coupled to the humidification chamber 
     
     
         69 . The humidification assembly of  claim 68 , wherein the conduit is provided as the fluid connection between the fluid reservoir and the humidification chamber, and is configured for providing the source of humidification fluid. 
     
     
         70 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the conduit comprises:
 a fluid reservoir connector at a fluid reservoir end of said conduit, and   a humidification chamber connector at a humidification chamber end of said conduit, wherein each of said fluid reservoir connector and said humidification chamber connector provide separately made connections between the conduit and the fluid reservoir and the conduit and the humidification chamber.   
     
     
         71 . The humidification assembly of  claim 70 , wherein a force required to separate either the fluid reservoir connector or the humidification chamber connector from the conduit is at least about 20 N. 
     
     
         72 . The humidification assembly of  claim 70 , wherein a force required to separate the fluid reservoir connector and the fluid reservoir is at least 20 N. 
     
     
         73 . The humidification assembly of any one of  claim 66 , wherein a force required to separate the conduit and the humidification chamber or to separate the conduit and the fluid reservoir is at least 20 N. 
     
     
         74 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein a force required to separate the conduit and the humidification chamber from the fluid reservoir is at least 20 N. 
     
     
         75 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein a force required to separate the conduit and the humidification chamber from the fluid reservoir is either between 20 N to 110 N or between 30 N to 100 N. 
     
     
         76 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein a force required to separate the humidification assembly, or one or more components of the humidification assembly, is at least 20 N. 
     
     
         77 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein a force required to separate the humidification assembly, or one or more components of the humidification assembly is either between 20 N to 200 N or between 30 N to 100 N. 
     
     
         78 . The humidification assembly of  claim 76 , wherein a separation of one or more components of the humidification assembly causes destruction of at least one component of the humidification assembly. 
     
     
         79 . The humidification assembly of  claim 77 , wherein a separation of one or more components of the humidification assembly causes destruction of at least one component of the humidification assembly. 
     
     
         80 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the conduit has a length for creating sufficient pressure to supply fluid from the fluid reservoir to the humidification chamber. 
     
     
         81 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the conduit is about 0.5 m to 2 m in length. 
     
     
         82 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the fluid reservoir comprises at least one inlet port configured to be sealed or closed, wherein the at least one inlet port is configured to receive a supply of humidification fluid. 
     
     
         83 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the fluid reservoir has a capacity of about 1 L. 
     
     
         84 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the fluid reservoir is a water bag. 
     
     
         85 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the humidification assembly further comprises a controller to control at least one of:
 a rate of flow of a fluid to be received from the fluid reservoir,   a rate of flow of a fluid to be discharged or released from the fluid reservoir, and   a rate of flow of a fluid to be admitted to the humidification chamber.   
     
     
         86 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , configured for use as part of a high flow respiratory support system or a high flow respiratory support circuit comprising a flow source and a patient interface. 
     
     
         87 . The humidification assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the patient interface is of a non-sealing type. 
     
     
         88 . A humidification assembly for use in a respiratory support system for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient, comprising:
 a humidification chamber configured for receiving a source of humidification fluid;   a fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid for supply to the humidification chamber;   a conduit provided as an interconnect between the humidification chamber and the fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid;   wherein, a connection is provided as a permanent connection between each of the conduit and the humidification chamber and the conduit and the fluid reservoir;   wherein a force required to separate the connection between the fluid reservoir from the conduit is at least about 20 N;   wherein a force required to separate the connection between the humidification chamber from the conduit is at least 20 N; and   wherein a separation of one or more components of the humidification assembly causes destruction of at least one component of the humidification assembly.   
     
     
         89 . A kit for use in a respiratory support system for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient, comprising:
 a humidification chamber configured for receiving a source of humidification fluid, a fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid for supply to the humidification chamber,   a conduit provided as an interconnect between the humidification chamber and the fluid reservoir configured for providing the source of humidification fluid, and   wherein, a connection is provided with a pre-determined force of retention and/or resistance to disconnection between each of:   the conduit and the humidification chamber, and   the conduit and the fluid reservoir.